Br. Daniel Lynch

Brother Daniel Lynch (June 28, 1921-September 13, 1997) was born in Detroit, Michigan and obtained a Ph.D in Botany from Washington State University in 1952.  In 1954 he became a Brother of Holy Cross and came to St. Edward's University to teach biological science. Br. Daniel was widely known in the Austin environmental community and was consulted as an expert in the efforts to save the historic Treaty Oak after it was poisoned in 1989. He was elected to a fellowship in the Texas Academy of Science and served as vice chairman of the Citizens Board of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality of the City of Austin. A gifted storyteller and entertainer, Br. Daniel was a popular teacher who, according to witnesses, was not above eating moldy food when challenged to prove his claims about its safety. Once, on a mission trip to Mexico, he accidentally cracked his ribs when attempting a pratfall to amuse the students in his catechism class. He retired from St. Edward's in 1996.

The Treaty Oak originally stood in a grove of 14 trees called the Council Oaks. According to folklore, Stephen F. Austin signed a treaty with Native Americans under its branches.  Once considered “the most perfect live oak specimen in America,” the tree became the target of a would-be assassin. In the summer of 1989 a powerful herbicide, Velpar, was poured on the base of the tree. The public reaction to the crime was massive - making the front page of the Times, and appearing in Sports Illustrated, People Magazine, National Geographic, and appearing on international news programs. Well-wishes, donations, and resources poured in.

Br. Daniel was part of an elite team of experts tasked with saving the tree. Contaminated soil, bark, and branches were removed. The tree was injected with various fertilizers and mixtures to combat the poison. It was believed by most that the tree would not survive. Against the odds, it did, though only 35% of the tree remained and it still shows signs of trauma. In 1997 (coincidently, the same year Br. Daniel passed away), it produced its first crop of acorns since the incident. The tree still stands in a park on Baylor Street, between 5th and 6th Streets.

The assassin was caught. Paul Cullen was arrested, tried, and sentenced to nine years in prison for felony criminal mischief. During the trial it was revealed that he believed killing a large living thing would help him in a magical effort to win the affections of a woman who scorned his advances. He served three years before being released and died in California in 2001. 

This limited edition print was given to Br. Daniel as a thank you gift. It hung in St. Joseph Hall, where Br. Daniel lived, for many years. It includes a small relic of the wood that was cut from the tree during the rescue effort.